(Execution Livestream Continuation, The Pit, Veyr's POV)
Veyr watched Leo move again, watched him throw himself into danger without hesitation, watched him bend his own limits for the second time in under a minute just to keep Veyr standing, as something inside his chest twisted painfully as the realization finally settled in.
This wasn't protection anymore.
This was liability.
Every time Raymond struck, Leo adjusted.
Every time death reached for him, Leo stepped in.
Every time the battlefield demanded sacrifice, Leo paid the price instead of him.
'I'm… holding him back.'
The thought came uninvited, sharp and merciless, as Veyr clenched his fists and felt how little strength answered his call, how shallow his aura felt compared to the titans clashing around them.
He wanted to help.
He wanted to stand beside Leo, to strike Raymond together, to repay even a fraction of what had been done for him.
But he knew better.
Charging in now would not wound Raymond.
